Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a microbiological assay comprises a holder for holding an agar diffusion plate in operative proximity to a sensing system having one or more sensing devices, which in concert are able to read in a digital or digitizable form both pattern information created by the growth of microbial cultures on an agar gel and in particular the patterns created by the diffusion of compounds inimical to the growth of said microorganism from the loci of circular disks impregnated with the compounds, and also identification codes imprinted on the disks prior to use of the disks in a multi-disk agar diffusion assay.

Abstract: The onset of spontaneous abortion or premature labor of a pregnant human female is continuously monitored, potentially for periods of several months and longer, by a real-time transit-time ultrasonic monitor of the dilatation and/or effacement of the cervix os, preferably by a computerized ambulatory monitor. The preferred computerized monitor sounds an alarm upon the detection of variably present conditions, normally the compound conditions of five or more 10% cyclical variations in the dilatation or effacement of the cervix os within a period of one hour, coupled with a greater than 1 centimeter increase over baseline of either dilatation or effacement, which compound conditions normally indicate the early onset of labor. The monitor connects to an infusion pump, likewise preferably ambulatory, for directing and controlling the infusion of one or more tocolytic, labor-preventing, drugs if labor continues.

Abstract: A microbiological assay investigatory apparatus has a source of electromagnetic waveform energy, a support and a linear color sensor. The support serves to hold a microbiological assay tray in a predetermined location relative to the source and to the sensor. The assay tray has different reaction chemicals and microorganisms of the same type in respective wells or chambers. The linear color sensor is disposed in a predetermined position relative to the support and concomitantly the assay tray for receiving electromagnetic waveform radiation emanating from a linear array of the wells in response to waveform energy from the source. The linear color sensor generates a signal encoding colorimetric data pertaining to a series of samples lying along a line intersecting the linear array of the wells.

Abstract: An assembly for use with an optical microscope in visually detecting the presence of a microscopic object in a sample and determining the position of the object in the sample to enable repeated visual observation of the object, the microscope having a microscope stage and an objective lens system with an optical path, comprises a slide holder removably attachable to the microscope stage in a plurality of alternative positions with respect to the stage for movably holding a slide bearing the sample, the slide holder including a frame stationary with respect to the stage and a slide carrier automatically shiftable with respect to the frame and the stage. The assembly further comprises a drive operatively connected to the slide holder for shifting the carrier and the slide carried thereby along a search path to enable a visual inspection of the sample.

Abstract: In a method for visually inspecting a sample through an objective lens of a microscope, a slide carrier attached to the microscope stage is automatically shiftable relative to a frame and to the stage along a predetermined meander path. A microscope slide and the slide carrier are provided with cooperating elements for positioning the slide at a predetermined position and orientation with respect to the carrier. The slide is further provided with a reference mark for enabling an automatic monitoring of the position of the slide relative to the frame of the carrier during an inspection of the slide. The x and y coordinates relative to the slide carrier frame of a detected microscopic object are recorded.

Abstract: An apparatus for using the continuous-gradient disk diffusion technique to obtain quantitative minimum inhibitory concentrations and inhibitory quotients comprises an electronic caliper operatively coupled to a microprocessor for feeding thereto signals coding the diameters of bacteria-growth inhibition zones measured by the caliper. In response to the signals, the microprocessor automatically calculates by means of a regression-type analysis the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the drugs, as determinable based on a correlation with results by a broth dilution test, with respect to the bacterium under study. The microprocessor also calculates, in response to the signals from the electronic caliper, inhibitory quotients with respect to a plurality of different body fluids such as bile, blood and cortical spinal fluid. The apparatus may also be used to determine unknown concentrations of antimicrobial drugs by using the disk diffusion technique and a regression analysis.

Abstract: Topical vaginal forms of tioconazole and related antimicrobic compounds, especially miconazole, econazole, clotrimazole, butaconazole and ketoconazole, are useful for the control (chemotherapeutic and chemoprophylactic) of Herpes virus infections.